"Fake."
Morgan's slightly flustered voice rang out.
"It's all fake. Mr. Argyle, you've certainly found a good group of actors."
"Actors?"
Felix smiled. He didn't look at Morgan, but instead turned his gaze to the three European bankers whose faces were ashen.
"Mr. Ashworth, you've been a force in the City of London for many years. Do you think a bank transfer record from Greenwich Village Trust Company, which can be subpoenaed by any court, can be faked?"
Then he turned to Emile Leroy.
"Or Mr. Leroy, the Rothschild family's intelligence network spans the globe. The assassin's wife and children boarded the 'Artemis' cruise ship, which is currently in the Atlantic. You can verify the truth of this matter at any time."
Finally, he looked at Oliver Ames.
Chairman Ames, at the opportune moment, took over the conversation with a tone full of grief and anger.
"John Crane's secretary, Benson, submitted a full confession to the New York City Police Commissioner half an hour ago. He admitted to all his actions of informing you."
This last straw broke Morgan's defenses.
He had already lost.
Not in financial strategy, but to those he had always looked down upon—the little people.
A customs clerk, a company secretary, two Irish street police officers... Morgan slowly stood up, adjusted his suit collar, and cast his gaze on the three European representatives.
"Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Leroy, Mr. Van der Berg."
"It seems there have been some unpleasant interludes at tonight's dinner."
"Interludes?"
"John, you used Barings Bank, the Rothschild family, and Hope Bank as chips in your foolish gamble. You exploited our reputation to plan a conspiracy destined to fail. Do you think this can be dismissed as just an 'interlude'?"
Ashworth stood up, his tall stature exuding a sense of oppression.
"Mr. Junius is one of our partners in London. I cannot imagine how he will view his son's performance."
Emile Leroy from Paris also stood up, his eyes now filled only with disdain.
"Mr. Morgan, our family does not participate in gambling; we only invest in certain futures." He shook his head. "And all you have shown us is madness and destruction."
"Mr. Ashworth, you misunderstand..."
Morgan tried to make a final defense.
"Enough."
Felix interrupted him.
"Mr. Morgan, I think the gentlemen from Europe are no longer interested in hearing your business plans."
He glanced at Chairman Ames. Ames immediately understood and gestured to the two security guards hidden in the shadows by the door.
The door was pulled open.
"John."
Ames's voice was cold.
"I think you now have many things to explain to your father, and... to the Federal Department of Justice investigators. As for the Union Pacific Railroad Company's bond underwriting business, from this moment on, Duncan, Sherman & Company will no longer be our partner."
Morgan's body trembled slightly.
He looked at Ames, then at Felix, and finally, his gaze fell on the three European bankers who had already turned their heads away, unwilling to look at him again.
He had been cast out of this game.
He forced a smile, not saying another word.
He only gave Felix Argyle a deep look, his eyes no longer holding the previous calculation, only resentment.
Then he turned around and, with still steady steps, walked out of the king's private room, which he had previously considered his for the taking... When the heavy oak door closed behind Morgan, the suffocating tension in the room finally eased.
Oliver Ames let out a long breath, feeling his back drenched in sweat.
He walked to the wine cabinet, poured himself a full glass of brandy, and drank it in one gulp.
"My God..."
"This truly is the craziest dinner I've ever experienced in my life."
Felix calmly refilled his teacup with black tea.
He looked at the three European bankers, whose faces were slowly recovering from the anger of being deceived.
"Gentlemen."
Felix spoke, bringing the conversation back on track.
"I apologize for subjecting you to such an... undignified farce."
"No, Mr. Argyle."
Henry Ashworth shook his head. He sat back down, looking at the young man before him with a new, equal gaze.
"You didn't subject us to a farce. Instead, you prevented an impending disaster for us. We should thank you."
"There's no need for thanks," Felix smiled. "I was merely protecting my own interests. After all, as you can all see, I am also a victim of this conspiracy."
Van der Berg of Amsterdam, the most pragmatic banker, spoke up.
"Now that the troublesome variable has been removed, Mr. Argyle, Chairman Ames, may we discuss the future of the Union Pacific Railroad Company... and your 'strategic cooperation'?"
They were all businessmen.
After confirming that the danger was averted, they immediately smelled new opportunities.
"That is precisely why I invited you all here."
Chairman Ames immediately took over the conversation, having quickly regained his role as host.
"Gentlemen, while Morgan's betrayal was despicable, it also created a simpler, more transparent opportunity for cooperation."
He glanced at Felix.
Felix nodded and continued:
"Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Leroy. Your previous concern was the stability of this investment. But now, as you can see, Union Pacific's greatest destabilizing factors, whether from violent conflicts in Nebraska or malicious short-selling from Wall Street, have been completely eliminated."
"The Union Pacific Railroad Company has my security guarantee. My Militech will provide the most reliable armed support for every critical point of the railroad's westward expansion. My food and pharmaceutical companies will be their most solid logistics."
"And I, in turn, have gained Union Pacific Railroad Company's most valuable resources, land, and a major artery to the West."
"Our alliance will ensure that the construction of this railroad will no longer be subject to any non-commercial interference. It will become the safest, most stable, and most nationally supported investment project in this country."
Ames added.
"And this financing will no longer need to go through the expensive intermediary channels of the Morgan family. The Union Pacific Railroad Company, in conjunction with Argyle Empire Bank, will jointly serve as the issuer of these European bonds."
"A project without intermediaries, directly guaranteed by an industrial giant and a major railway artery, and highly regarded by the Federal Government." Felix looked at them.
"Gentlemen, I don't know if you can find a higher quality asset than this in America right now."
The three European bankers exchanged glances again, their eyes no longer showing confusion, but... greed.
"Mr. Argyle, Chairman Ames."
Henry Ashworth showed a sincere smile befitting a banker.
"Regarding this new financing plan... we are very interested in hearing more detailed specifics."